Poet, Joseph Green

“Friday, 7-9pm” the advertisement read. As I continued, it explained the poetry event was occurring at BLOOMBARS, which is located in Columbia Heights, DC. My husband is teaching Friday night and I really haven’t done anything poetry-related in a while (unlike many of the slicers who are writing a poem a day this month.) Then, I recalled how before Covid, poet, Joseph Green came to my school and did a poetry workshop for the English teachers. I remembered his powerful, deep voice. I remember his passion for words. And now he is celebrating his first published book of poetry. I clicked the event and reserved my ticket and one book.

Usually on a Friday night, I’m enjoying a slice of Friday Night pizza and relaxing on the couch, watching Jeapardy. Last Friday, I shock it up and programed my phone to an unknown address 25 minutes away from my home. The google maps’ voice started speaking, sharing left turns and right turns to follow to arrive at Bloombars. First, across the Potomac River, then up the Rock Creek Parkway, just pass the National zoo and into a a neighborhood of old row houses. I traveled down Irving Street, crossed 16th, then crossed 13th (the street my mom grew up on.) As I stopped at the traffic light, I saw the Tivoli Theater, now a Target. People of all ages were crossing the street, out walking their dog or walking home from the Metro. I turned right onto 11th and the voice from my phone announced, “You have arrived.” After circling the block, I found a spot to parallel park the car. The clock read 6:45pm.

I entered a row house turned into an event space. In front of me were stairs upstair, the risers each painted a different pastel color with a saying painted to each: “K is for kindness. J is for Joy…” Art covered the walls of the once living room and lively music played. The far side of the space was a stage with a microphone and a DJ, working his tunes. “Welcome,” a deep familiar voice proclaimed. It was Joseph and I explained how I was a teacher and he had taught me many years ago. With a twinkle in his eye, he smiled, remembering our time together. He handed me his book and I took a seat on what used to be a church pew hugging the wall to the left of the stage. And for the next 15 minutes, I read!

Joseph Green’s book, Talk Ugly and Other Poems, is a unique poetry collection. It is three poems shared graphically. Each poem is shown across about 20 pages. The graphic images and colors hold my interest as the poetic words sink in. Then in the end, the three poems appear on the page, with just text and line breaks. Then at 7:10pm, Joseph takes the stage. His thunderous voice performs the first poem. Hearing the words spoken is so powerful!

After he signed my book, I heading back to my car. As I held his book, I think about how powerful poetry is. With just the right word choices and the arrangement of the text, a reader is moved. But then add colorful images across comic-size squares. Then add my memory of having the privilege to hear the poet speak the words. A trifecta!

So glad I treated myself to poetry last Friday night. So glad Joseph Green is a published poet.

NOTE: to access the free discussion guide, please visit http://www.LMScurriculum.com